Air conditioning unit



Nov. 14, 1961 A. E. REISS 3,008,305

AIR CONDITIONING UNIT INVENTOR.

ANDREW E. REISS BY We,"

A T TORNE X Nov. 14, 1961 A. E. REISS AIR CONDITIONING UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 8, 1960 INVENTOR. ANDREW' E. figlss ATTORNEX E tates 3,008,395 Am CQNDITIONING UNIT Andrew E. Reiss, Skaneateles, N.Y., assignor to Carrier Corporation, Syracuse, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 8, 1960, Ser. No. 54,674 Claims. (Cl. 62-280) This invention relates generally to air conditioning units and more particularly to air conditioning units provided with improved condensate disposal means. Further this invention relates to air conditioning units provided with means for evaporating in the condenser air stream, water condensed from the air in the evaporator air stream.

In console air conditioning units and in self-contained Window units, it is desirable to evaporate in the condenser air stream the water condensed from the evaporator air stream. Several methods have been employed to dispose of the condensed water in air conditioning units wherein squirrel cage fans have been employed to pass air over the condenser which is generally mounted above the fan.

In one method condensate has been introduced into a pan beneath the condenser fan scroll. Condensate enters the scroll through an opening in the bottom of the scroll. The air within the scroll forces some of the condensate along the inside of the scroll and also picks up a small portion of it in the air stream. By this method, however, the condensate is not distributed uniformly in the air stream and consequently, the distribution of condensate across the face of the condenser is uneven. Some Water remains in the pan beneath the scroll and serves not only to collect dirt from the air but also serves as a breeding place for algae. This foreign matter tends to clog the opening in the scroll preventing entry of condensate from the pan to the scroll and renders the condensate system highly ineflicient.

Another method of disposing of the condensate has been to introduce the same into the stream of air entering the fan wheel through a tube. The fan wheel tends to impart sufiicient momentum to the condensate to sling it onto the fan scroll. Again it has been found that the distribution of condensate upon the condenser surface is not uniform. Also the water striking the blades of the fan Wheels causes objectionable noise and erodes the blades of the fan wheels by impingement.

Generally, it is desirable to supply ventilation air from the ambient to the room being treated. In console air conditioning units and in self-contained Window air conditioning units, this may be most conveniently done by drawing air from the downstream side of the condenser fan wheel and supplying such air to the evaporator compartment. It has been found, however, that condensate is carried in this ventilation air from the condenser compartment. This carryover of condensate is objectionable.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an air conditioning unit in which the disadvantages and deficiencies of prior constructions are obviated.

An object of this invention is to provide an air conditioning unit having a centrifugal condenser fan with improved condensate disposal means.

Another object of this invention is to provide an air conditioning unit having a centrifugal condenser fan with means for discharging condensate in a thin film or sheet into the condenser air stream whereby the condensate may be carried by the condenser air stream and evapo rated on the hot surface of the condenser.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an air conditioning unit With improved condensate disposal means and with means conducting condensate-free ventilation air from the condenser compartment to the evaporator compartment.

Efihbfibii Patented Nov. 14, 1961 ice This invention relates to an air conditioning unit comprising a casing, a refrigeration system in the casing including a compressor, a condenser, expansion means and an evaporator connected in such order, a first scroll having an inlet and an outlet therein, means for drawing air throug the first scroll and over the evaporator, a second scroll having an inlet and an outlet, a centrifugal fan in the second scroll for drawing air through said second scroll and passing air over said condenser, means for conducting ventilation air from the second scroll to the first scroll, a damper for selectively opening and closing the conducting means, means below the evaporator for collecting condensate dripping therefrom, means for supplying condensate from the collecting means to a point within the second scroll, the condensate supplying means comprising a member extending adjacent the outer periphery of the centrifugal fan and having an elongated opening therein and baffle means for substantially precluding condensate from being carried into the conducting means when the damper is open to provide ventillation air from the second scroll to the first scroll.

Other objects of the invention will be obvious from the foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention. The invention will now be described by reference to the attached drawings wherein like numerals refer to like elements and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of a console type air conditioning unit embodying the present invention, with the front panel thereof removed;

FIGURE 2 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of the condenser fan assembly and of the condenser;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse sectional view taken generally along line IIIIII of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the condenser fan assembly.

Referring to FIGURE 1, there is shown a console type air conditioning unit embodying the present invention. The unit comprises a casing 10 which may be mounted on a stand resting on the floor or which may be hung from a bracket secured to a wall in conventional fashion. The casing comprises a rear panel 11, side panels 14 and bottom panel 15 which are fastened one to the other. Within the rear panel are inlet 12 and outlet 13, each adapted to be connected to the ambient through an opening in the wall or by ductwork extending through a window or wall. Bottom panel 15, which is spaced from the floor, has an openingl therein. Casing It} is also provided with a removable top panel 17 having a louvered opening 18 therein and the front of the casing is closed by a detachable front panel 19. A portion of top panel 17 may be cut out to expose control panel 29 upon which suitable controls may be mounted, as for example a master switch 70, a thermostat 60, and a vent control 50..

The refrigerating system shown in FIGURE 1 is of the compressor, condenser, expansion means, evaporator type. Compressor 25 which is mounted on bottom panel 15 is preferably of the hermetic type. The condenser 26 and the evaporator 28 are conventional tube and plate fin coils. The expansion means preferably comprises a thermal expansion valve 27, though obviously, other forms of expansion means as, for example, a capillary tube may be employed in such refrigerating systems. Compressor Z5 is connected to condenser 26 by discharge line 29. Thermal expansion valve 27 is in line 30 which connects the condenser and the evaporator. Refrigerant is returned for the evaporator to the compresser through suction line 31. A partition 32 divides the casing into an evaporator compartment 33 andv condenser compartment 34.

Within the evaporator compartment 33 is an evaporator fan assembly 35- comprising a housing or scroll 36 Within which is a centrifugal fan 37. The centrifugal or condenser surface to evaporate the condensate.

squirrel cage fan draws air in through opening 1 6 in bottom panel through inlet 38 in the housing, and discharges the air over evaporator 28 and through the louvered opening 18 into the room to be conditioned.-

Disposed within condenser compartment 34 is a housing or scroll 49 within which is provided a centrifugal or squirrel cage fan 41. The fan 41 draws air in through inlet 12 in the rear panel 11, through openings 42 in scroll 40, and discharges the air over condenser 26 and through outlet 13 back to the ambient.

The means for driving fans 37 and 41 comprises an electric motor 45 secured to thebottom panel 15 within the condenser compartment. The motor has-a shaft extending from each end thereof, evaporator fan 37 being secured to shaft 43, condenser fan 41 being secured to shaft 44.

Duct 46 is provided to conduct ventilation air h om the ambient through condenser scroll 40 to evaporator scroll 36 for discharge into the room to be treated. Means are provided for selectively opening'and closing duct 46'. Such means preferably comprise a ventilation damper 47 secured to pivot shaft 4i; which is supported within scroll 40 by brackets 49. Suitable linkage (not shown) connects the pivot shaft with a vent control 51 on control panel 29. 7

Water condenser on the evaporator is collected in pan 51 disposed beneath evaporator 28. I The condensate drains from the pan through line 52 to discharge member 53 located within scroll 40; As can be seen in FIG- URES 2 and 4 the tubular discharge member has an elongated opening 54 therein. Condensate is forced over the upper edge of the opening in a thin film or sheet by the upwardly moving condenser air stream. The upper edge may be smooth as shown at 55 or' it may be serrated as shown at 56 to more finely divide the condensate discharging over the edge. Opening 54 extends less than the width of the centrifugal fan 41 so as to discharge condensate only into a portion of the upwardly moving air stream.

Provided within scroll 40 is baflle 57. The outside contour of battle 57 conforms to theinner surface of scroll 40 and the inner edge of baffle 57 conforms generally to the conformation of the periphery of fan 41. The baffie, it is noted, extends above the top of duct 46. Condensate is discharged through opening 54 between the bafie and an end of the fan 41. The condensate is picked up in the condenser air stream and discharged unifonmly upon the condenser surface. When the damper 47 is open, ventilation air will be supplied through duct 46, the air being free from. condensate.

Considering the operation of the air conditioning unit, compressor 25 discharges high pressure vaporous refrigerant through line 29 to condenser 26 from which it is passed to evaporator 28 through the expansion means and thence returned to compressor 25 through suction line 31, the refrigerant undergoing the conventional expension and compression of 'a compression refrigeration cycle. Centrifugal fan 37 draws air in through opening 16 from the area to be conditioned and forces the air over evaporator 28 and thence outwardly throughdischarge opening 18 to return to the area to be conditioned. On the opposite side of partition 32. condenser fan 41 draws air from the ambient through inlet 12, through openings 42 in scroll 40 and discharges the air over condenser 26 and thence outwardly through outlet 13 to the ambient.

Moisture condensed from. the air passing in heat exchange relation with evaporator 28 is collected in pan 51 beneath the evaporator and is conducted through line 52 to discharge member 53. The condensate flows.

through elongated opening 54 in a fine film or sheet-so as to be readily picked up in the condenser air stream and hurled upwardly in a uniform manner upon the hot M The condensate is forced over the upper edge of opening 54 by the upwardly moving condenser air stream. The particles of condensate are fine and are easily carried upward in the air stream. There are no large particles to fall by'gravity to the bottom of the scroll and form a pool which eventually interferes with the rotation of the fan and causes splashing noises. Too, a low noise level is maintained for no large particles of condensate impinge upon the blades of centrifugal fan 41.

Opening 54 extends adjacent the periphery of the fan and is disposed away from the entrance to duct 46. When damper 47 is actuated opening duct 46 to the passage of ventilation air, bafiie 57 cooperates with discharge member 53 to substantially preclude the condensate from entering duct 46. The portion of the air discharged from fan 41 which enters duct 46 has not had condensate introduced into it. Damper 47 pivots to a position contacting bailie 57 and cooperates with the baflie to form a substantially separate closed channel to direct ventilation air from the downstream side of the condenser fan to duct 46. Thus, condensate-free ventilation air is introduced to the inlet side of the evaporator fan 37 under positive pressure. I 7

By the present invention an air conditioning unit of the console type is provided with an efiective and efiicient condensate disposal means. The condensate discharged from the discharge member 53 is carried by the condenser air stream, and substantially all of the condensate is evaporated upon the condenser. The present invention has been applied to console units and it has been found that the level of condensate in the bottom of scroll 49 does not rise into contact with the fan, thus eliminating splashing noises from within the scroll. By virtue of the cooperation between the discharge member 53 and battle 5'7, ventilation air flowing through duct 46 is free of condensate. The invention provides improved condensate disposal means, useful not only with console air conditioning units, but also with other units in which it is desirable to evaporate condensate on the condenser.

While I have shown a preferred form of my invention, it is obvious that other modifications will appear to those persons skilled in the art, and I desire that my invention be limited only within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An air conditioning unit comprising a casing, a refrigeration system in said casing including a compressor, a condenser, expansion means, and an evaporator connected in such order, a first scroll having an inlet and an outlet, means for passing air through the first scroll and over said evaporator, a second scroll having an inlet and an outlet, a centrifugal fan in said second scroll for drawing air through said second scroll and passing air over said condenser, means for conducting ventilation air from the second scroll to the first scroll, a damper for selectively opening and closing the conducting means, means below the evaporator for collecting condensate dripping therefrom, means for supplying condensate from the collecting means to a place within the second scroll, said condensate supplying means comprising a member extending adjacent the outer periphery of said centrifugal fan, said member having an elongated opening therein, and bat-fie means for substantially precluding condensate from being carriedinto said conducting means when the damper is open to pass air from the second scroll to the first scroll.

2. An air conditioning unit comprising a casing, a first housing having an inlet and an outlet, an evaporator adjacent said outlet, fan means for passing air over said evaporator and into the area to be treated, a second housing having an inlet and an outlet, a condenser adjacent said latter outlet, a centrifugal fan for passing air over said condenser, a duct connecting'the first housing and the second housing, damper means for admitting air from the second housing into the duct for passage to the first housing, means for collecting condensate from the evaporator, means connected to the collecting means for discharging condensate into the condenser air stream and barrier means in the second housing for substantially precluding condensate from entering the duct when the damper means is open.

3. An air conditioning unit as in claim 2 wherein the discharging means comprises a conduit having a portion thereof adjacent the outer periphery of said centrifugal fan, said portion being substantially coextensive with the width of said centrifugal fan and having an elongated opening therein through which said condensate may be discharged.

4. An air conditioning unit 'as set forth in claim 2 wherein said barrier means extends between planes passing through the ends of said centrifugal fan and said discharging means comprises a conduit having an opening therein, said opening being substantially coextensive with the Width of said centrifugal fan between the side of the barrier means opposite the damper and a plane passing through the proximate end of the centrifugal fan.

5. An air conditioning unit as set forth in claim 2 wherein said barrier means lies in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said centrifugal fan and between the ends of said centrifugal fan and said discharging means comprises a conduit having an elongated opening therein, said opening being substantially coextensive with the width of said centrifugal fan between said barrier means and said second housing.

6. An air conditioning unit comprising a casing; a refrigeration system in said casing comprising a compressor, a condenser, expansion means and an evaporator connected in such order; a fan for passing air over said evaporator; a scroll housing having an outlet adjacent said condenser, a centrifugal fan in said scroll housing for passing air over said condenser; means for collecting condensate from the evaporator; means for discharging condensate on said centrifugal fan comprising a tubular conduit having an elongated opening therein adjacent the centrifugal fan; means for directing air from the scroll housing into communication with the air passing over said evaporator; a damper for selectively opening and closing the directing means; and barrier means substantially precluding condensate from entering the directing means when the damper is open.

condensate above said condenser fan means to atcmize the same and throw it upon the condenser to cool the condenser and evaporate the condensate, a duct communicating the first housing and the second housing, a damper for selectively opening and closing the duct, and means in said second housing for substantially precluding condensate from entering the duct when the damper is open.

8. An air conditioning unit as set forth in claim 7 wherein said precluding means comprises a barrier disposed between the planes passing through the ends of the condenser fan means.

9. An air conditioning unit as set forth in claim 8 wherein said discharging means comprises a conduit having an opening therein substantially coextensive with the width of the condenser fan means between the barrier and an end of the condenser fan means.

10. In an air conditioning unit, a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a condenser in said outlet adapted to be connected to the refrigeration system of said air conditioning unit, centrifugal fan means for drawing air through said inlet and discharging it through said outlet, and means for discharging condensed water above the fan means over substantially the width thereof to divide the water into small particles, said discharging means having an elongated opening, the upper edge of which is serrated to finely divide the film of water discharged over said upper edge, whereby the particles may be hurled upon the surface of the condenser to both cool the condenser and evaporate the particles.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,145,380 Weiland Ian. 31, 1939 2,283,928 Huggins May 28, 1942 2,661,606 Trask Dec. 8, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE O CORRECTION Patent No $008,305 November 14,, 1961 Andrew E, Re iss I i It is herebycertified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2- Qlin'e 6 for throng read through line K 67 for forv read from column 3, line 26,, for 'oondemser" read condensed line 46 for "The" read This "0 Signed and sealed. this 17th day of April 1962;

(SEAL) Attest:

ESTON G. JOHNSON T V i DAVID L. LADD Attesting Officer I i Commissioner of Patents 

